Faculty Biographies

Jacqueline Agtuca
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Jacqueline Agtuca, J.D., is Clan Star’s Director of Public Policy. Jacqueline has dedicated her legal career to enhancing protections for women by reforming tribal, state and federal law and policy. Ms Agtuca served as a staff attorney for the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago (1984-1988), Director of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office Family Violence Project (1988-1990), and Director of the Criminal Justice Advocacy Unit for the Family Violence Prevention Fund (1990-1995). In 1995, Ms. Agtuca helped to open the newly created Violence Against Women Office, USDOJ. In this capacity she played a critical role in establishing current federal policy and programming for tribal governments. In 1999, Jacqueline became the Deputy Director, and then Acting Director, of the USDOJ Office of Tribal Justice. This Office serves as the central point of coordination for USDOJ governmental relations with Indian tribes. In 2001, Ms. Agtuca was appointed Chief of Staff of the National Indian Gaming Commission. She is a founding member of the National Congress of American Indians Task Force on Violence Against Native Women. Jacqueline is of Cherokee descent. She is the grandmother of Tala and Malaya Casiano-David.

Maryanne Canales
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Maryanne Canales is Clan Star’s Director of Administration. Maryanne has dedicated her life to helping adults and children in areas of abuse. Maryanne served as a volunteer with the Michigan Child Abuse Council (1980-1985) and became a child advocate for abused children in the courtroom. For many years Maryanne worked with Michigan Indian programs such as Michigan Indian Employment Center (1986-1988), Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council (1988-1992), and Michigan Indian Health Services (1992-1996). In 1983, Michigan Governor James Blanchard appointed her to the Economic and Social Opportunity Commission. Maryanne has voluntarily served on many boards that address the issues affecting American Indian people and tribes. She continues to volunteer and assist with fundraising in Cherokee, North Carolina. Maryanne is currently a student at the University of Maryland working towards a BA in Legal Studies. Maryanne is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and resides on the Qualla Boundary the Cherokee Reservation. She is a member of the Bird Clan. Maryanne has been married for 30 years and is the mother of 3 adult children, Shanaviah, Carlos Jr., and Karen. She is the grandmother of Hannah (4), Mikiaylah (3), and Oosdi tsi-s gwa (Little Bird) (2 weeks).

Tang Cheam
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Tang Cheam is Technology Director for Clan Star. He designs web-based communications system and websites utilized by Clan Star. He has worked in the IT industry for over 15 years, ranging from network support and server design to proprietary aerospace systems design. Tang specializes in hardware implementation, network systems design and implementation, and software-based solutions specific to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations. He also runs a studio that focuses on multimedia production of educational materials for non-profit and under-represented communities. In 2009, Tang completed his Master of Arts from the University of Washington. His thesis is entitled “Passing on the Dance: Cambodian Cultural Identity as Viewed Through Classical Dance Programs in Tacoma, WA.” As a survivor of the Cambodian genocide, he dedicates his life’s work to his mother and her unrelenting commitment to her children. Tang is married to Teresa, and is the proud father of Maya and Lucy, who serve as the inspiration behind his commitment in helping to end all forms of violence.

Terri Henry
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Terri Henry is of the Longhair Clan of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation. As the Principal Director of Clan Star, she is an agent of change and dedicated to the sovereignty of Indian tribes and native women. In 1996, Terri joined the USDOJ Violence Against Women Office to direct policies and programs for Indian tribes. In this capacity she directed and helped to develop training and technical assistance for over 250 American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Through Terri’s leadership, the first native based federal programming to address violence against Native women became a reality. Ms. Henry initiated training for tribal judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and advocates to enhance tribal governmental efforts to address the safety of Native women. Programming under her direction recognized the sovereignty of Indian Tribes and the principles of self-determination. In 1999, Terri returned home to Cherokee, North Carolina to found the Qualla Women’s Justice Alliance, and in 2001, she founded Clan Star, Inc. She is a founding member of the National Congress of American Indians Task Force on Violence Against Native Women. Ms. Henry previously has served the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as an Associate Justice of the Cherokee Supreme Court. She also worked with Sacred Circle, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges on the Green book project, and Mending the Sacred Hoop on violence against women initiatives. Terri completed an Independent Study program at the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations with Professor James S. Anaya in Geneva, Switzerland, and has since participated in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations in New York City. Ms. Henry worked at the Indian Law Resource Center in Washington, DC and the US Census Bureau in Suitland, Maryland.